Coral Pink, Utah

Name: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Location:

Description:

The dune complex is actually a valley in a deep notch between the Moquith
Mountains to the east and the Moccasin Mountains to the north. Its location
serves as a natural collection area for the fine sands blown off the
surrounding mountains' steep red cliffs and outcroppings. The dunes are
surrounded on three sides by roads and on the south side by the Moquith
Mountains and the Moccasin Mountains.

The lower area is under the protection of the Utah State Parks Department;
the larger, upper portion of the dunes and the surrounding land are under BLM
control.

The
park is a 3,730 acre recreation area with over 2,000 acres of sand open to
OHVs. The area open to OHVs is about six miles long and approximately one mile
wide. Sitting at an elevation of 6,000 feet the park enjoys mild winters and
warm summers. The Coral Pink dunes have laid down several hundred feet of sand
along the 200 mile long Sevier Fault. A "notch" between the Moquith
and Moccasin mountains directs the windblown sand (the venturi effect) to this
corner of
Southern Utah
. The reddish colored sand is supplied courtesy of ancient Navajo Sandstone
that is carried from the
Virgin River
to the bottom of the Cane beds and the eroding Navajo Sandstone around the
park.

The park is open year-round, but spring, early summer, and
fall are the most ideal times. Memorial and Labor Day weekends are usually
very crowded.

Due to its high elevation the dunes area receives relatively
high precipitation and as a result, has surprisingly abundant plant life, such
as Ponderosa pines, tall dune grasses and many wild flowers in the spring.

Elevation - 6000ft.

Click to see larger map

Directions to Coral Pink:

From
Kanab, Utah: Take Highway 89 north for 10 miles to Hancock Road,
designated a Scenic Backway. Hancock Road is seven miles long and meets at a
"T" with Yellowjacket Road. Turn left (south) onto Yellowjacket.
The main park entrance is five miles up on the left.

From Zion or Bryce Canyon National Parks: Take
Highway 89 south past Mount Carmel Junction. Six miles farther south, watch
for Coral Pink State Park signs that lead you to Yellowjacket Road. Take
Yellowjacket and follow the signs to the Coral Pink State Park headquarters
and campground.

GPS Coordinates:

Coral Pink Camping Areas:

Main
Camp - Utah State Parks
The state park has a well-maintained campground in a wooded area. There are 22
pull-through RV Trailer Sites with picnic tables and a barbecue grill; open
year round (though the water is shut off from November to May);
Reservations
800-322-3770 (Monday-Friday); $20 per night regular site. $95 for group
site.
- Restrooms w/showers
- RV Dump (available for $8 Day Use Fee for people camping at the Dry Lake)
- Ice and firewood is available.
- Quiet hours enforced 10pm - 9am (no night riding).
- Hiking - boardwalk, overlook trails, and a nature trail.

Dry
Camp "Meadows" - BLMOn the northern end of the park a large open area coined the
dry lake bed sits on BLM land. From the intersection of Hancock Rd. and
Yellow Jacket Rd. travel 1/2 mile towards the State Park on Yellow Jacket
Rd. The Dry Lake area is on the left. People are allowed to camp here for free,
however, there are no facilities and no quiet hours. BLM is very
sensitive about this area. If you want to keep it open, please follow
a few simple rules:
- Do Not Dump Gray Water.
- Fires allowed in metal containers only. Do not dump coals.
- No trash collection. Pack it in. Pack it out.
- Do not ride is areas closed to OHVs.

The area by the tree in the Dry Lake bed was closed in 2005 to
camping. BLM will close more area if people do not follow the rules.

The Dry Lake is surrounded by a Wilderness Study Area. Please do not
ride in areas closed to OHVs.

Ponderosa
Grove Campground- BLMLocated on Hancock Rd. between Hwy 89 and Yellow Jacket Rd. OHV
access is no longer allowed from this campground. No ATVs allowed on Hancock Rd. Access
to the dunes is prohibited by an emergency closure along the south edge of
the Hancock Road.
- Pit toilets. - No water
- 20 ft. max. RV length.

Fees (for Utah State Parks access only)

Camping: $20 per night regular site. $95 for group site. Camping
fees include use of showers, dune access, dump station and water.

Day use is $8 per vehicle. Anyone staying at the Meadow will need to
pay the full day use fee to dump trailers, trash or fill up water.
Persons not camping in the campground wishing to shower will need to pay
the day use fee plus $2 per shower. There is no time limit on the
showers.

Rules:

Vehicles
must remain on pavement within developed areas of the park.

Speed limit in the park is 15 mph; 5 mph in the campground; 30 mph on
country roads.

Camping is allowed only in designated campsites.

It is unlawful to remove, destroy or molest all plants, animals and
minerals in the park.

Fireworks are prohibited.

Fires can be built in specified locations only. Only in metal containers
at the Dry Lake.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes - Why Here?

The sand found at Coral Pink Sand Dunes comes from eroding Navajo Sandstone
cliffs found to the south.

The gap between the Moquith Mountains (left) and Moccasin Mountains (right)
creates a funnel for the prevailing wind. This constricting notch increases wind
velocity to a point where it can carry sand grains. Once the wind passes through
the notch, the wind velocity decreases and the sand grains are deposited at
Coral Pink Sand Dunes.

The Sevier Fault runs directly below and is responsible for the valley where
the dunes are now found.

Sand Trails

"Sand Highway" - One-way, narrow and windy marked
trail in a small canyon along the edge of the dunes.

South Boundary Trail - Along the eastern side of the main dune
area. One-way marked trail that is several miles long.

4x4 Trails

Elephant Butte Trail - starts 4 miles south of the park entrance
and connects with the Barracks trail (after 8 miles), both paths boast of
beautiful views.

Barracks Trail - starts about one quarter mile south of the
junction of highways 9 & 89 at Mt. Carmel Junction. 5.2 miles long, will
take you to some great views of Zion
National Park and the White Cliffs.

Pass
Patrol October 1998 Campfire Tales - 4x4 trails in the Moquith Mountain
WSA
- Sand Springs Route - Main access road into Moquith Mountain WSA.
Access via Hancock Rd.
- Indian Canyon Petroglyph Route - Located 4 miles northeast of
the dunes. Take Sand Springs Route to first intersection. Then a
little less than 2 miles the trail ends and hiking trail to petroglyphs
begins.

Kane County has done a fabulous job marking OHV trails in
and around Coral Pink. Unfortunately, the BLM is making it confusing
for users by posting closed signs next to some of the Kane County trail
markers.

The issue is protecting the area within the Moquith Mountain
WSA. This area has not been designated as Wilderness, but must be
"protected" by the BLM until Congress does something to either
designate or free it up.

What can you do to help keep Coral Pink open to OHV use?

Send a quick note to Congressman Jim Matheson asking him to
sponsor a bill that would release Moquith Mountain WSA.

Main points for your letter:

Moquith
Mountain WSA was determined by the BLM to be not suitable for Wilderness
Designation.

BLM is severely limiting OHV and camping access at
Coral Pink based on the need to protect the WSA.